Wheel Scratches...Ugh

My first home tire mounting went amuck and the rear wheel popped loose from the crappy harbor freight tire changer while I was removing the old skin. This caused some ugly but light surface scratches along the rim. These being purely cosmetic, anyone have suggestions for cleaning up minor scratches along the rim? I am looking for cheap solutions, under $50 bucks, so powder coating or new wheel are out of the question. This being the standard metallic silver powder coated wheels that most of us have, figure I am not the only to run into this.

andy45320 said:

My first home tire mounting went amuck and the rear wheel popped loose from the crappy harbor freight tire changer while I was removing the old skin. This caused some ugly but light surface scratches along the rim. These being purely cosmetic, anyone have suggestions for cleaning up minor scratches along the rim? I am looking for cheap solutions, under $50 bucks, so powder coating or new wheel are out of the question. This being the standard metallic silver powder coated wheels that most of us have, figure I am not the only to run into this.

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A Scotch Brite Roloc wheel in a drill will fix it up in a jiffy. The kit consists of a mandrel and quick attach Scotch Brite pads. Get the fine and medium pads, two of each should be plenty. Do a Goggle to find a seller who will sell in small quantities as the product is normally sold by the box. A body shop might be able to help you out. A mandrel and four discs will run around $25.
Start with the fine to get your courage up, then move to the medium to remove the scratches. You will then go back to the fine for the final polishing.
The result will be as smooth as a baby's bottom. ( this is standard procedure in the repair and overhaul of aircraft props) The rim was probably anodized, so you will want to put something on the repair area.
Most modify the HF changer with an improved rim gripper set. There have been threads here or over on AdrvR on how to do it. (pictures) I have a new HF unit myself but have not yet made the mod. Maybe someone can chime in and give the location of the instructions. The HF is a good deal for the money but it does need some owner improvements to come up to standard.

Good luck,

Motard
1150GS
R50